NHS Pay Rise 2025/26: Updated Band Salaries, Take-Home Pay & What It Means for You
27 May 2025
The UK government has announced the NHS pay rise for 2025/26 under the Agenda for Change (AfC) framework. Whether you're a nurse, healthcare assistant (HCA), paramedic, or allied health professional, you’re set to receive a pay boost.
But how much more will you actually earn? Will the increase beat inflation? And how will it affect your pension contributions or take-home pay?
In this updated guide, we break down:
- The confirmed NHS pay rise for 2025/26
- New salary figures for each band
- Inflation comparisons and real-terms value
- What shows up on your payslip and when
- Pension implications, union reactions, and tips to make the most of your increase
NHS Pay Rise 2025/26: At a Glance
| Group | Confirmed Pay Rise |
|---|---|
| Agenda for Change staff (England) | 3.6% consolidated |
| General Practice Nurses & GPs | 4% |
| Junior Doctors (England) | 5.4% (includes £750 payment) |
| NHS Scotland staff | 4.25% |
Most NHS staff in England covered by Agenda for Change will receive a 3.6% consolidated pay rise, backdated to April 2025.
Several health unions, including UNISON, have called the deal “modest,” citing continued pressure from rising living costs and over a decade of below-inflation increases.
"This modest uplift won’t repair the deep cracks caused by years of real-terms pay cuts." — UNISON
NHS Pay Bands 2025/26: Salary by Band
Here’s what NHS staff in England will earn after the 3.6% increase is applied:
| Band | Typical Roles | 2024/25 Salary | 2025/26 Salary | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 2 | HCA, Porter, Cleaner | £23,254 | £24,091 | +£837 |
| Band 3 | Senior HCA, Support Worker | £23,700–£25,594 | £24,553–£26,517 | +£853–£923 |
| Band 4 | Assistant Practitioner | £25,266–£27,891 | £26,176–£28,892 | +£910–£1,001 |
| Band 5 | Nurse, Physio | £28,039–£34,581 | £29,046–£35,826 | +£1,007–£1,245 |
| Band 6 | Senior Nurse, Paramedic | £34,780–£41,995 | £36,033–£43,506 | +£1,253–£1,511 |
| Band 7 | Ward Manager | £42,809–£48,927 | £44,350–£50,690 | +£1,541–£1,763 |
| Band 8a | Matron, Clinical Lead | £52,226–£58,972 | £54,110–£61,112 | +£1,884–£2,140 |
| Band 8b | Head of Department | £60,324–£70,417 | £62,488–£72,948 | +£2,164–£2,531 |
| Band 8c | Divisional Director | £71,341–£83,874 | £73,905–£86,898 | +£2,564–£3,024 |
| Band 8d | Director of Operations | £81,986–£97,489 | £84,934–£100,999 | +£2,948–£3,510 |
| Band 9 | Executive Director | £95,525–£111,703 | £98,980–£115,726 | +£3,455–£4,023 |
What About London Weighting?
High Cost Area Supplements (HCAS), also known as London Weighting, remain unchanged in percentage terms but are now applied to your new base salary:
| Area | % Uplift | Min Extra | Max Extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner London | 20% | £5,610 | £8,465 |
| Outer London | 15% | £4,716 | £5,941 |
| London Fringe | 5% | £1,303 | £2,197 |
Band 5 Nurse: Real Take-Home Pay Comparison
Here’s how the 2025/26 increase affects take-home pay for a newly qualified Band 5 nurse, before pension/student loan deductions:
| Year | Gross Salary | Est. Net Pay | Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | £28,039 | ~£22,200 | ~£1,850 |
| 2025/26 | £29,046 | ~£23,000 | ~£1,915 |
| Change | +£800 | +£65/month |
💡 Use our Take Home Pay calculator for accurate salary calculators based on your tax code and pension contributions.
Does This Pay Rise Beat Inflation?
Not quite.
With CPI inflation in early 2025 sitting between 3%–4.5%, the 3.6% pay award roughly matches inflation but doesn’t outpace it. That means:
- No real-terms increase in purchasing power
- NHS wages are still playing catch-up from 2010–2020 real-terms losses
- Everyday costs (rent, fuel, food) may still be rising faster than wages
"Most NHS workers are earning 5–15% less in real terms today than in 2010." — Nuffield Trust
NHS Pension: Will Your Contributions Change?
Yes, for some.
The pay rise might push you into a higher pension contribution tier, meaning:
- Higher deduction from your monthly salary
- Greater long-term pension value
Example:
A Band 5 nurse moving from £28,000 to £29,046 could shift from the 7.1% contribution tier to the 9.3% tier.
👉 Check your exact tier via NHS Pensions.
Union & Public Reactions
Major health unions, including UNISON, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), and the British Medical Association (BMA), have criticised the deal.
Key complaints:
- Still below inflation over the long term
- Doesn’t solve recruitment or retention issues
- Morale remains low after years of underfunding
Many unions are now calling for multi-year restorative pay deals that go beyond inflation-matching.
How to Make the Most of Your NHS Pay Rise
Even if the increase feels modest, here are 5 smart ways to stretch your income:
- Check your tax code – Incorrect codes can unfairly reduce your take-home pay.
- Review pension tiers – Be aware if your contribution rate changes.
- Use salary sacrifice schemes – Cycle to Work and NHS Lease Car reduce taxable income.
- Track new take-home pay – Tools like Take Home Pay calculator help forecast net income.
- Update your budget – Reflect your new earnings in monthly outgoings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much is the NHS pay rise in 2025/26?
Most staff under Agenda for Change (England) will receive a 3.6% consolidated increase.
When will it appear on my payslip?
You’ll see the updated pay (with back pay from April to July 2025) in your August 2025 payslip.
What’s the new Band 5 salary?
£29,046 to £35,826 depending on years of experience.
Has London Weighting changed?
No, but it applies to your new higher salary, so your total income increases.
Does this pay rise beat inflation?
Not really. It aligns with current inflation, offering little to no real-terms gain.
📌 Final Thoughts
This 2025/26 pay award offers some short-term financial relief, but for many NHS workers, it still doesn’t go far enough. Inflation-adjusted wages remain below 2010 levels, and rising pension tiers may offset some of the gains.
That said, understanding how your salary changes, how take-home pay shifts, and how benefits evolve puts you in control—and helps you make the most of every pound you earn.